Celebrating Diversity – November 1 to 5

November – National Native Month (Canada, USA) – This month is designated to honour and recognize all Native, Indigenous, and Aboriginal of not only the Americas but in the world. Four years prior to 1990, US Congress had enacted legislation designating ‘American Indian Heritage Week’. On August 3, 1990, a Joint Resolution designated the month of November, 1990 as ‘National American Indian Heritage Month’. During this month, the contributions of the continent’s first inhabitants are remembered and celebrated through ceremonies, powwows and special feasts.

November 1 – All Saints’ Day (Christian) – This day is for honouring saints, known and unknown.

November 1 – Dia De Finades (Portugal) – This holiday is celebrated by people visiting the deceased. They bring hearts and crowns made of flowers to the graves.

November 2 – Guru Nanak’s Birthday (Bikarami) (Sikh) – Born in 1469 CE, he was the first of the Ten Gurus of the Sikh faith and founded Sikhism. An accomplished poet, 974 of his hymns are in the Sikh scriptures, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

November 2 – Lokashah Jayanti (Jain) – This day commemorates the birth of a famous 15th century reformer, Lonka Saha, who opposed temple worship and use of images.

November 2 – Kathina (Buddhist) – New robes and necessities are given to ordained monks and nuns.

November 2 – All Souls Day (Christian) – Catholic Christians day of prayers of intercession for the dead. Prayers of the faithful are seen as helping to cleanse the souls of the departed.

November 2 – Dia De Los Muertos (Mexico) – This day is also known as the Day of the Dead, it is celebrated in parts of the United States and Central America. Families build altars in their homes surrounded by flowers, food and burning candles.

November 3 – Bunka No Hi(Culture Day) (Japan) – A national holiday dedicated to the love of freedom and promotion of Japanese culture.

November 5 – Guy Fawkes Day (UK) – This is also known as Bonfire Night. Guy Fawkes was a leader of a group of Catholic men who were plotting to blow up the king and Parliament but were arrested in time. The English and Irish burn bonfires topped by a figure known as the guy. West Indians from the Bahamas and Barbados celebrate it as well.